(Regular updates will be available on the Alberta Pulse Growers website.)

Pulse Canada and the CSCA are partners of the Ag Transport Coalition (ATC)*, which tracks performance of the Canadian railway network for the movement of grain.

A new grain network status report has been created to provide stakeholders with comprehensive insight on the performance of the Canadian rail system for the 2020-2021 grain year. The report provides information and data on the status of the rail network as of midnight the previous day.

The railway performance data reported in these reports reflect the performance of rail shipments specifically for grain shippers participating in the Ag Transport Coalition’s railway performance measurement program – estimated to encompass approximately 90-95% of western Canadian originated grain shipments by rail.

October 13, 2021: Report Synopsis

Loads on Wheels

•  System loads on wheels increased slightly again yesterday returning above the 8,900 car threshold.

•  There was little change for either railway yesterday.  Entering the back half of week 11, CN is tracking at last week’s pace while CP continues to lag by some 14%.

Cars Not Moving

• System idle car counts declined sharply yesterday falling 22% returning to 1,600 cars on a system basis – the lowest level in 10 days.

• The improvement seen yesterday reflects lower counts for each of CN and CP.

Port Unloads

• West coast unloads (705) tailed off yesterday reflecting lower unloads at Vancouver and no unloads at Prince Rupert as anticipated.

• Thunder Bay unloads (427) cleared the 400 car mark for the second straight day consistent with the heavy volumes within the terminal yesterday.

For more information, go to www.agtransportcoalition.com* The Ag Transportation Coalition is comprised of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC), Pulse Canada, Manitoba Pulse Growers Association (MPGA), Western Grain Elevator Association (WGEA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Inland Terminal Association of Canada (ITAC) and the Canadian Special Crops Association (CSCA). All daily network status reports are available on the Pulse Canada website.